Jusuf Baftjari

Mulla Jusuf Baftjari, also known as Hoxhë Lipovica, was a prominent Albanian Imam, later Mullah, Kachak and Ballist commander during the Insurgency in Karadak in World War II, a region predominantly inhabited by Muslim Albanians. He participated in the popular resistance against the Bulgarian fascists, Yugoslav Partisans and Chetniks in the Karadak region. Jusuf Baftjari, was renowned for his wisdom and religious leadership and emerged as a prominent figure among the Albanians of Karadak. Jusuf Baftjari led significant battles in Karadak, Anamorava and Gollak including the one in Rainca of Presheva. On Eid al-Adha in 1944, Jusuf Baftjari organized and led the fighting during the First Battle of Preševo. Even after the end of World War II, Jusuf Baftjari continued the armed resistance against Yugoslavia, being one of the last Ballist leaders in Kosovo to do so.